BURLINGTON, Vt. -
While it's hard to find someone who loves doing taxes, it's a different story when it comes to the tax refund.
A majority of Americans expect or have received a refund. The average amount is about $3,000.
Before people drop their taxes in the mail, many have planned what to do if they receive a refund.
"I'll probably just invest it in my art. I'm an artist," says Lyna Lou Nordstrom.
"We're going to put it into our savings account and use it as a nest egg," says Nathaniel White-Joyal.
Brad Hartley already filed his taxes and spent his refund. He used the money to fix his motorcycle and get better gas mileage.
"It has been a good bike for me for a couple of years now. I like the antique stuff," says Hartley.
Experts say saving or investing your money, and not going on shopping spree, is exactly what you should do with your tax refund.
"Unfortunately a lot of people just put the whole thing towards a splurge and we don't recommend that," says Jim White, Financial Futures program director.
White helps people with their money at the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. He says a tax refund is an opportunity to build your savings and pay down your debts.
But White is okay with a little fun.
"Maybe you want to take 10, 15 even 20 percent of your refund and splurge with it so that you feel good about putting the rest toward something more serious," says White.
If you qualify, you can receive free advice to help you plan what to do with your refund. Just click to the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.
